Hair Loss in the COVID-19 era

By Vivian Wong, MD, PHD

Are you suffering from hair loss?
Hair loss is a hot topic right now. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of patients are presented with sudden onset hair shedding and thinning. This condition is known as telogen effluvium, a form of hair loss characterized by excessive hair shedding over the entire scalp. This could be triggered by serious illness, stress, pregnancy, and nutritional deficiency. If you are experiencing hair loss, this could be due to COVID-19 or stress from the pandemic. The interval between the trigger and the shedding may be weeks to a few months. For further evaluation, the first step is to see a board-certified dermatologist, which is extensively trained in hair loss disorders. There are many causes of hair loss, and sometimes you need further workup or treatment. We have a wide range of treatment options that we could customize to you. A combination of medical therapies and procedures work well for hair loss.

Here is some advice on hair care practices that could help improve hair health:
1. Minimize hair brushing, especially when your hair is wet. Your hair is prone to physical injury especially when wet.
2. Air dry instead of using a hair dryer. Heat can damage your hairs. When using a hair dryer, use the low heat setting.
3. Go for a natural hair style. Avoid chemical or heat treatment. Avoid hair extensions or styling that could cause traction on your hair follicle.
4. Reduce stress through exercise, meditation, and spending quality time with love ones.
5. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun. Ultraviolet rays can be harmful to your hairs.

If you have further questions about hair loss and hair care, please schedule an appointment at Skin Wellness Physicians.

Dr. Wong is a board-certified dermatologist with a dual M.D. and Ph.D. She joins Skin Wellness Physicians after a career as a faculty member and core teaching faculty at the Department of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She completed her dermatology residency and served as the chief resident at Brown University. She is a renowned researcher with collaborators in North America, Europe and Asia. She has authored over 250 articles and textbook chapters to date on important topics such as eczema/atopic dermatitis, melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. She has been interviewed as a dermatology expert by the Boston Magazine, Boston25 News and QuantiaMD. She has spoken and presented at more than 50 international and domestic conferences and received more than 40 awards and research grants for her scientific and clinical endeavors. She also serves as a consultant to medical diagnostic, therapeutic and technology companies.

Dr. Wong is a leader in adult and pediatric dermatology, as well as cosmetic dermatology, offering procedures including Botox, cosmetic fillers, Kybella, chemical peels, lasers, and scalp injections for hair health. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and cooking.